WC Qualifier: Italy - Montenegro [15-10-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Italy: Quagliarella drafted in Sunday 12 October, 2008

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With Luca Toni suspended for the Montenegro game, Marcello Lippi has called Fabio Quagliarella to complete the Udinese trident.

Italy’s 0-0 draw with Bulgaria showed problems in attack and more importantly the yellow card picked up by Toni means he’ll sit out a ban for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier.


There were rumours Lippi would recall Alessandro Del Piero to fill the gap, but instead he has gone for Quagliarella.


This is an intriguing choice, as two of the front three against Bulgaria were already Udinese teammates – Simone Pepe and Antonio Di Natale.


If Alberto Gilardino does not start or is substituted during the match with Montenegro, the Azzurri may well end up fielding the entire Udinese front line.


It is a reward for the good work of the Friuli club, who currently top the Serie A table alongside Inter and Lazio.


Udinese have scored 10 goals in Serie A this season – the second highest figure behind Lazio’s 14 – plus two in the UEFA Cup.


Quagliarella has netted more than any of his teammates with three this term, followed by Di Natale and Pepe on two.


Quagliarella will travel to the training camp in Puglia this evening, where Italy begin preparations for Wednesday’s game at Lecce’s Stadio Via del Mare.

ok Quagliarella drafted in...still i think it should have been adp.i mean whats there to be lost wth adp in???lippi alredy has a host of new players to try out.

[D-Kin]

Quagliarella is in form, I don't really see what the problem is.

And lets not forget he's building a nice partnership with Di Natale at Udinese. I can understand Lippi's decision here.

[sinoy1]

No Cassano still...this is getting ridiculous.

[dukeofdavinci]

Quagliarella is in form, I don't really see what the problem is.

And lets not forget he's building a nice partnership with Di Natale at Udinese. I can understand Lippi's decision here.

he is in form but so is pepe and montolivo but both of them were below average.im just afraid quagliarella would need some time adjusting thats all.

since we have alredy dropped points in the last game we need to win this one.

[dukeofdavinci]

De Rossi in doubt for Montenegro Sunday 12 October, 2008

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Daniele De Rossi is an injury doubt for the Montenegro game, although tests confirm no serious damage to his thigh.

The Italy midfielder picked up a knock during Saturday’s 0-0 draw in Bulgaria and was seen still limping when the team arrived in Lecce for today’s training session.


There were fears he would have to be sent home, but Professor Enrico Castellacci performed tests that confirmed there are no tears to the right thigh muscle.


“In agreement with Roma, the player will remain with us to see if he can recover for the next game.”


Gennaro Gattuso also has a slight knock to the right knee, so there could be changes in midfield against Montenegro.


Luca Toni has returned to Munich after a yellow card ruled him out of Wednesday’s match, so Udinese star Fabio Quagliarella was drafted in as a replacement.


One of those pushing for a place in the starting XI is Alberto Aquilani, who did not feature in Bulgaria.


The Roma starlet scored two goals in today’s 3-0 friendly test against the Lecce youth squad, including a penalty.


The other goal came from Negro, who was ‘borrowed’ from the Lecce side to make up the numbers.


Marcello Lippi experimented with his squad, fielding Christian Maggio down the right and Giuseppe Rossi on the left flank.

updates on our injury concerns ahead of the game.we cant loose ddr and gattuso at the same time.wth the less experience players we have we need at least 1 of them to be fit and partnering aquilani in case one of the 2 doesnt make it.

Lippi: We're ahead of schedule Sunday 12 October, 2008

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Marcello Lippi praised Giuseppe Rossi as “a born player” and noted this Italy side is at a more advanced level than the World Cup winners.

The 0-0 with Bulgaria keeps the Azzurri on top of World Cup qualifying Group 8 and stretches Lippi’s unbeaten run on the bench to 29 games.


He is now just one shy of Vittorio Pozzo’s all-time record, naturally discounting the two-year period when Roberto Donadoni was at the helm.


The last Azzurri defeat suffered by Lippi was 1-0 in Slovenia on October 9, 2004.


“For this stage in qualifying, we are at a more advanced level than the team I had before the 2006 World Cup,” said the tactician.


“I was very pleased to hear Daniele De Rossi say that it is easy for new faces to settle in to this squad, including the youngsters.”


Lippi had previously been reticent to call in younger starlets, but gave Simone Pepe and Giuseppe Rossi their senior debuts against Bulgaria along with Riccardo Montolivo’s first competitive match.


“Rossi is a born player,” smiled the Coach. “He has gone around the world. I called him early because he is a particularly special player, one who raced through the process, much like De Rossi in his career.


“The young ones all did well yesterday, such as Rossi and Simone Pepe, and were well above average.”


Considering the former Parma, Manchester United and Villarreal forward’s performance as a substitute in Sofia, it is widely believed he will be in the starting XI against Montenegro on Wednesday evening.


Another option is Fabio Quagliarella, who was drafted in after Luca Toni picked up a ban, leaving Alberto Gilardino as the only available hitman.


“I called Quagliarella because he is a centre-forward, is in good shape and has already played in the Nazionale in the past.”


The Udinese star had been a regular fixture under Donadoni’s watch, but was yet to receive a call from Lippi.


“We didn’t create that many chances in Bulgaria because it was a very tough match, which the media continually pointed out beforehand. I’d say we passed this test with flying colours.”


Lippi is now looking ahead to Wednesday’s 2010 World Cup qualifier with Montenegro at Lecce’s Stadio Via del Mare.


“I don’t think I will make too many changes. Last time the fitness levels were lower, so I had to rotate the squad more.


“Montenegro are a technically gifted side and typical of that part of the world.”

absolutely agreed.too bad united couldnt keep him.any way im glad he is getting the chances in the azzurri.

in the absences of a creative forward like adp, rossi is the best player to be starting the game.we need more then just crosses to score goals.and rossi can give it to us

[dukeofdavinci]

Lippi: The Rossi Factor Tuesday 14 October, 2008

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Marcello Lippi will focus on Daniele De Rossi and Giuseppe Rossi on Wednesday, although he warns of Montenegro’s Serie A talents.

There were fears both players might miss out on the 2010 World Cup qualifier after picking up knocks during the 0-0 in Bulgaria.


“The decision to limit training was purely a precaution. Everyone is available for selection,” said the Italy Coach.


“You already ‘discovered’ Rossi last Saturday. Tomorrow, from the start or in the second half, it is very likely you’ll discover him all over again.”


The Villarreal starlet made his senior debut as a substitute in Sofia and was among the most impressive performer on the night.


“I will make some changes. A few fitness niggles are affecting the decision-making process and so I will only make my final pick after the morning training session. You will see the team is going to be more attacking than in Bulgaria, partly because we’ll have the extra push from our home fans.


“We must win order to give the draw in Sofia value, otherwise these will become two negative matches. We will play a good game. Italy get the victory if they want it very strongly, so we have to do something more in attack.”


One of the changes expected is for Alberto Aquilani to replace Riccardo Montolivo in midfield, while Rossi could come in for Simone Pepe.


Bulgaria sat very deep on Saturday and seemed content with the stalemate, but Lippi expects Montenegro to take another approach at the Stadio Via del Mare in Lecce.


“We need a great performance and I am convinced we will bring one to the table. Our opponents are very enthusiastic, especially as their Federation was only recently formed.


“Montenegro are technically gifted both in terms of players and management, with stars like Mirko Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic. They deserve utmost respect.”


These are familiar faces to Serie A followers, as Vucinic has long been in the peninsula for Lecce and then Roma, while youngster Jovetic arrived at Fiorentina this season.


If Lippi picks up a positive result against Montenegro, he will match the record set by Vittorio Pozzo of going for 30 consecutive games unbeaten on the Italy bench – naturally discounting the two years of Roberto Donadoni’s reign.


“Let us not talk about this until after the game. In today’s football you do not win with peaks, but with consistency. That is the meaning of a solid team.”

agreed.rossi and aquilani will give us that creative edge and coupled wth our defensive strength we can make it happen.

[dukeofdavinci]

Line-ups: Aquilani only change
Wednesday 15 October, 2008
Marcello Lippi has made only one change for the Montenegro match, introducing Alberto Aquilani to face Roma teammate Mirko Vucinic.

The Italy Coach had warned he would not revolutionise his side as he had in the last World Cup qualifiers, keeping the majority of the line-up that drew 0-0 in Bulgaria on Saturday.

Riccardo Montolivo is the only man to make way for Roma’s Aquilani in the midfield, meaning Simone Pepe starts his second consecutive international.

Curiously, this results in four of the starting XI being Giallorossi youth products, as Pepe and Marco Amelia started their careers at the Olimpico.

Daniele De Rossi and Giuseppe Rossi recovered from fitness worries, but the Villarreal starlet is again on the bench, while Luca Toni is suspended.

Montenegro are going for a solid 4-5-1 formation with Vucinic leading the way and midfield support from Fiorentina teen talent Stevan Jovetic.

Check back for half-time and full reports along with extensive post-match comments on the Football Italia website.

Italy: Amelia; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Dossena; Gattuso, De Rossi, Aquilani; Pepe, Gilardino, Di Natale
Italy bench: De Sanctis, Bonera, Gamberini, Perrotta, Montolivo, Rossi, Quagliarella

Montenegro: Poleksic; Pavicevic, Tanasijevic, Batak, Jovanovic; Drincic, Zverotic, Vukcevic, Jovetic, Boskovic; Vucinic
Montenegro bench: M Bozovic, V Bozovic, Jeknic, Novakovic, Damjanovic, Bogavac, Burzanovic

aquilani would give us that extra edge in mid-field,rossi should be given the start.after half time if things dont look good we can always sub him out instead subbing him in for the dying min and hoping he can do something huge.

[sinoy1]

2-1 so far Aquilani with 2 goals.1 from Mirko Vucinic.This game is open and free flowing.Im liking it!

[sinoy1]

Jovetic is extremely dangerous...Im a believer....Why doesnt he play more?This guy is a REAL talent.

Vucinic is causing massive problems to Chiellini and Cannavaro.

Aquilani has been the most productive for Italy and Gilardino looks like the Gila of Milan.

De Rossi needs to impose himself more and Gattuso...he just needs to stop passing the ball like he's Pirlo and stick to his game .

Id like to see De Rossi get forward a bit more but with his slight thigh strain I highly doubt he will.

Dossenna sucks I feel.

Pepe isnt ready for the Azzuri.He's got the footwork he's just missing something.I cant put my finger on it.

Id like to see Pepe in the middle with G.Rossi coming in for Gila and putting him out wide.

[azzurri]

Typical Itay. They sat back after 1-0. Hopefully they don't do the same thing in 2nd half. Good game though. More exciting than the last few qualifiers.

[sinoy1]

Aquilani off for Perrotta....WHY?Take De Rossi off he's playing injured!

[sinoy1]

No Rossi today quag is about to come on.

[sinoy1]

Vucinic off with a standing ovation.I fear he'll be injured for the Inter match.Good game from him even though he's got a series of injuries ( foot back and knee problem all this week).

[sinoy1]

2-1 final.Aquilani was the star.Without him Italy seemed boring as Perrotta stepped in for him.

Vucinic and Jovetic are quite possibly the most entertaining duo in europe to watch together.Both are excellent with the ball.

Cannavaro seemed shaky and it correlated to Chiellini.Dossena was finally off and Bonera stepped in which added a bit more balance to the back.


Good game.2-1 was fair.It was the Roma show really with de Rossi hitting the bar as well but MOM for me was Aquilani I think many would agree